Everyone talks about KU playing small, even coach Self. How is our Davidson starting line up small when we started a 7 footer at the 5 and two 6'8'' players? Isn't small either the wrong word or just poor terminology for a team using really, really athletic 6'8'' players who can handle the ball and shoot from the outside like traditional guards, but also bang in the paint with their front court height? We really are seeing a number of multi-skilled 6'8'' players around the country, including Jackson, Svi and Lightfoot. And soon, Billy Preston will arrive; another multi-skilled "small" player. Once upon a time, Magic Johnson was thought to be a rare athlete, but now we see a number of players with similar size and combination skills throughout the country.
When I hear the term playing small, I think of Fred Hoiberg's Iowa State offense that had four players beyond the arc and one player in the paint. George Niang was another multi-skilled 6'8'' guy. If I saw him at the local Costco, I don't think I would call him small.
As a true small myself, I wonder if 6 feet will soon become too short to play D1 ball. Global warming may be hotly disputed in our society, but no one may dispute that many tall players are changing the face of basketball because they're developing ball handling and shooting skills like true smalls. Just something to ponder on a Monday. Merry Christmas all.
